The Antislavery Debate: Capitalism and Abolitionism as a Problem in Historical Interpretation

This volume brings together one of the most provocative debates among historians in recent years. The centre of controversy is the emergence of the anti-slavery movement in the United States and Britain and the relation of capitalism to the development. The essays delve beyond these issues, however, to raise a deeper question of historical interpretation. What are the relations between consciousness, moral action and social change? The debate illustrates that concepts common in historical practice are not so as evidence, about the need for clarity in using the tools of contemporary historical practice. Beginning with an essay in the American Historical Review (AHR), Thomas L. Haskell challenged the interpretive framework Age of Revolution . The AHR subsequently published responses by Davis and by John Ashworth, as well as rejoinder by Haskell. The AHR essays and the relevant portions of Davis’ book are reprinted here. In addition, there are two new essays by Davis and Ashworth and a general consideration of the subject by Thomas Bender.